Roche Diagnostics Corp. has introduced a blood gas analyzer designed to eliminate the introduction of blood clots that can hinder patient care. The U.S. introduction of the cobas b 123 POC system “enables hospitals to provide lab-like accuracy for blood gas testing at the point of care, while reducing their potential maintenance requirements,” says Joe Crowley, senior vice president, professional diagnostics hospital unit at Roche Diagnostics.

The cobas b 123 system features thick-film sensor technology, a broad assay menu, and rapid turnaround for 15 blood gas and electrolyte tests, according to Roche. A mobile cart facilitates use in ICUs, patient floors, and other hospital locations. Automated linearity testing and calibration simplifies workflow and regulatory compliance, the company says.

A four-level system protects against clot formation that can cause failure of fluid packs, Roche says. The system’s fluid packs require no refrigeration and have microchips that allow them to be transferred between similar devices.

---John Conroy